Purdue Basketball: A Quick Start Is Going to Be Essential Against Indiana

The Purdue Boilermakers are well into their bye week as they prepare for what will be a huge matchup for in-state bragging rights Saturday night when the Indiana Hoosiers come to Mackey Arena for their 7 pm (ET) clash.

This season Purdue has struggled to get down and dirty early. They have constantly come out slow and flat-footed. These droughts have cost Purdue games this season, and will cost another if they can't figure out the problem.

At first, many, including myself, thought it was a lack of aggression, but it's more than that—it's a lack of motion on offense.

When reevaluating the losses and scoring droughts this season, it seemed the offense was still, almost statue-like, which is something the Boilermakers cannot afford to be without an inside presence.

The guards need to create opportunities, set up solid screens, and capitalize off the pick-and-roll, especially guards Lewis Jackson and Terone Johnson.

There should be ample opportunity for back-door cuts to the hoop against Indiana, and it will be essential to keep with the offensive motion.

A fast start against the Hoosiers will be key. Indiana is a great team but has trouble on the road, so the Boilermakers must pour on the points and pressure early.

With a rivalry game, anything can happen, and Purdue will surely be the underdogs going into this one as Indiana has beaten the No. 1 and 2 teams in the nation.

Despite Indiana's road woes however, Purdue should still be worried, as they haven't exactly lit it up at home either.

With this being a rivalry game, throw out the records, and throw out previous wins and losses, this is a new season—it's rivalry season, and one of the biggest.